Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher)

Eau Claire, City of (WI); Eau Claire (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation time

Paid holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Health insurance

Sick leave

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of Eau Claire seeks a full-time Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher) to handle police, fire, and EMS calls in Eau Claire County. You will operate CAD/RMS/TIME systems, dispatch units, and maintain composure under pressure while delivering accurate information to field responders.

Work schedule includes alternating weekends with 12-hour and 8-hour shifts; benefits include significant vacation time, paid holidays, health and life insurance, sick leave, and opportunities for loan forgiveness.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED.
• No felony convictions on record.
• Ability to work a variety of shifts.
• Must maintain composure under high-stress situations and multitask.

Responsibilities

• Receive and dispatch 911 and non-emergency calls for police, fire, and EMS.
• Use CAD/RMS/TIME systems to transmit information and dispatch units.
• Maintain contact with units on duty and coordinate responses during incidents.
• Provide basic life support instructions when required and relay alerts and weather information.

Skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Multitasking

Keyboarding

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma or GED

CPR certification

Emergency Medical Dispatch certification

IS-100/200/700 training

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system

Records Management System (RMS)

TIME system

Public safety radios

Job description

Put your customer service skills to use while serving your community! Help us provide an essential service for Eau Claire County residents and visitors. Join our team as a full-time Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher)! We are currently hiring in the Eau Claire Communications Center. The Eau Claire Communications Center is one of the longest running countywide, central dispatch facilities in Wisconsin. Civilian Telecommunicators are responsible for all 911 calls and non-emergency calls in Eau Claire County. We dispatch for 14 agencies, including law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. Applicants will use a computer aided dispatch system, computer records management system, TIME system, and other computer software to effectively complete their duties.

Schedule:During a 2-week period, you work five 12-hour shifts and two 8-hour shifts. This means you get every other Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off!

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED, etc.)
• Have no felony convictions on record
• Must be able to work a variety of different shifts
• Must also be detail-oriented; have good keyboarding skills; have effective communication skills; possess the ability to maintain composure under high stress situations; exhibit patience and discretion when dealing with customers; and have the ability to multitask

Additional Reasons to Apply:

• Receive 41.25 hours of vacation on your first day of employment, plus earn 82.5 hours of additional vacation time in the first year
• Receive 3 paid floating holidays and 8 paid regular holidays (in a calendar year)
• Potential to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Plus, other excellent fringe benefits (paid sick leave, health insurance, life insurance, etc.)!

Application deadline: Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

**Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher) Recruitment Snapshot**

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SCOPE

Under general supervision, receives calls for police, sheriff, fire, and emergency medical services, transmitting information and dispatching personnel and equipment through the use of telephone, State Computer System, Local Computer System, and radio communications equipment. The incumbent must develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of police, fire, and medical operations and procedures as well as a working knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. This background is essential in order for the incumbent to be capable of understanding the status of activities in the field and to make the most effective use of personnel and equipment.

Disposition of calls are made in accordance with established regulations and procedures; however, incumbent must exercise initiative and sound judgment. Incumbent must develop and maintain knowledge of the geographic layout of the City and County of Eau Claire as it pertains to dispatching personnel to calls for service. Incumbent has substantial contact with the public and user agencies via telephone, radio and in person.

Using a computer aided dispatch system, receive emergency calls for service from the public requesting police, fire, emergency medical or other service; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priorities, and dispatch necessary emergency units in accordance with established procedures. Transmit and receive messages to and from user agencies via public safety radios, 9-1-1 emergency telephone lines, data terminals and other communications equipment.

Maintain contact with all units on duty; maintain status and location of police and fire units; answer non-emergency calls for assistance; inquire, enter, update, interpret, verify, receive and disseminate information from national, state, and local law enforcement computer networks as requested by user agencies for missing persons, stolen property and restraining orders; monitor several complex public safety radio frequencies; effectively operate the public safety communications system, radio dispatch consoles, and other associated equipment.

Maintain contact with callers when required. Provide Basic life support instructions following the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (NAED). Provide scene safety instructions to callers who are involved in high risk situations until first responders or law enforcement officers are on scene.

Monitor the NAWAS direct telephone link to the National Weather Service. In the event of notification of severe weather approaching the Eau Claire area, activate the Severe Weather Warning System. This includes activation of the outdoor severe weather warning sirens, and activating the weather warning tone and broadcast of information over appropriate radio frequencies. Utilizing the NAWAS telephone link, relay actual storm data to the National Weather Service as it becomes available.

Answer all telephone calls and radio transmissions directed to the Communications Center as promptly as possible; obtaining as much information and relaying that information to appropriate field units. Display a concerned, considerate, and polite demeanor, reassuring callers as necessary; effectively communicate with and gather information from citizens.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, user agency personnel and the public. Be courteous, attentive, and helpful in all contacts with the public and user agencies.

Under general supervision, using all available information, assist in coordination of multiple events and emergency responses; accomplish tasks in a composedand competent manner while working under stress. Provide operational support and assistance to co-workers as needed.

Know and understand the portions of the Manual of Policy, Regulations and Procedures which apply to this position. Adhere to policy and procedure in carrying out duties where applicable. Actively support the policies, procedures, programs, objectives and philosophies of the department.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as required.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATIONS

During the initial training process, incumbents must successfully complete the following: IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System, IS-200.b Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS-700.a National Incident Management System: An Introduction, CPR certification, and Emergency Medical Dispatch certification.

Must have at least 18 years of age.

Must have no felony convictions on record.

High school diploma or equivalent (GED, etc.) is required.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

Must be able to work mandatory over-time hours.

Must be able to transcribe verbally communicated information quickly and accurately.

Maintains prompt, predictable, and regular physical attendance.

Must be able to take direction and work well with others.

Must be able to concentrate and perform accurately.

Must be able to react to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.

Must be able to back-up fellow co-workers.

SUPERVISION/DIRECTION RECEIVED

Communications Center Supervisor/Communication Center Manager

SUPERVISION/DIRECTION EXERCISED

None

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is mostly sedentary (sitting) with occasional walking, standing and lifting less than 20 lbs. in a general office setting with a minimal presence of hazards.

The City of Eau Claire is an Equal Opportunity Employer.